The big forward is one of the most loaded positions in the league, and in this era of small ball, the big forward has to assist and score in addition to grabbing rebounds and blocking. As a big man, you have to gain a foothold in the league, either physically talented or technically excellent. Alphabet Brother and Durant are the best examples, but who is the best big forward in the NBA in the 2022-23 season. To this end, the US media listed the best 25 big forwards of the 2022-23 season, who is overrated?
25. Kigan Murray (King of Sacramento)
Keegan Murray is the summer league's most valuable player, and thanks to his efforts, he earned the summer league MVP and the honor of being named to the first team, shooting 50.0% from the field, 40.0% from three-point range, and averaging 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
Keegan Murray is tall and athletic, a very athletic swingman, in the No. 4 position he can dribble singles, shoot in the open position, cut into the inside basket, can get better on the defensive end, as a player with both attack and defense, he has great potential.
24. Markkanen (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Markkanen's first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers was also one of the most influential seasons of his career. Markkanen averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 2021-22, shooting 35.8 percent from three-point range as Cleveland had strong interior lines of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, which left Markkanen with only a bench for the team in the big forward position, and he also had the ability to be the key to the team's starting offensive end.
23. Dorian Finney Smith (Dallas Mavericks)
Dorian Finney Smith, a qualified starter in the Dallas Mavericks lineup over the past few seasons, has adapted well to his starting position, even though he may not be the typical starting big forward. Dorian Finney Smith did all the dirty work for Dallas, and he rarely pursued his own statistics to look good.
He averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in 2021-22, but his 39.5 percent three-point shooting percentage is more critical for the Mavericks, who are like a Swiss Army knife on the defensive end, straight into the heart of the opponent.
22. Jabari Smith (Houston Rockets)
As the top four draft picks for the 2022 NBA Draft, Jabari Smith, as a rookie, should grow up quickly, but more likely on the defensive end than on the offensive end. In the past summer league, he averaged 14.4 points per game for the Auburn Tigers, shooting 37.7 percent from the field, 25.9 percent from three-point range, averaging 1.8 assists, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
21. Little Wendal carter (Orlando Magic)
Wendal carter Jr. had a great season with the Orlando Magic, in which he averaged 15.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 three-pointers from 52.5 percent shooting. Next season, the team's other young players return healthy, and his chances of performing will also decline a lot.
20. Cameron Johnson (Phoenix Suns)
Many questioned why the Phoenix Suns chose cameron Johnson, 23, at the time, more because of his age and less comprehensive skills. As the 11th pick in 2019, he averaged a career-high 12.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 2021-22, while shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range, and Cameron Johnson was one of the league's best top scorers last season.
19. Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets)
After more than a season, Aaron Gordon has proven himself a good fit for the Denver Nuggets, benefiting from playing frontcourt at two-time league most valuable players. Aaron Gordon is a great defensive player who can also score constantly offensively as a scorer.
In the 2021-22 season, Aaron Gordon averaged 15.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 52.0% from the field and 33.5% from three-point range, and the overall stats were very stable, making him one of the most reliable players in the Denver Nuggets' history. But with Jamal Murray and Michael Potter Jr. returning in the 2022-23 season, Aaron Gordon's stats could take a few slight hits.
18. Kelkuzma (Washington Wizards)
A versatile big forward with excellent shooting and dribbling ability, Kyrkuzma has just had the best season of his career, averaging 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 2021-22. But with Bradley Beale back, Kyle Kuzma won't be able to get as many offensive opportunities as they did last season.
17. Harrison Barnes (King of Sacramento)
Harrison Barnes is an experienced starting power forward, and Harrison Barnes knows his role, both on and off the field, to perform well. Harrison Barnes was an all-around big forward for the Sacramento Kings, and Harrison Barnes had a solid season averaging 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game from 39.4 percent three-point range.
16. Jeramie Grant (Portland Trail Blazers)
In the past few seasons, Geramy Grant has had a lot of trade rumors, and finally in the 2022 offseason, Geramy Grant was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Blazers, which also made the trade rumors of these years have an ending.
Last season, Gerald Grant averaged 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting 35.8 percent from three-point range. Together with Lillard, Gerald Grant's stats are sure to take a hit as he is no longer the team's first offensive choice and the team wants him to be the second scorer and best forward defensive player.
15. Wood (Dallas Mavericks)
Wood was traded from the Rockets to the Dallas Mavericks, and Wood should be able to adapt well to the Mavericks. Wood was steady in the 2021-22 season, averaging 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 50.1 percent from the field and, most importantly, shooting 39.0 percent from three-point range. Wood is also an all-around big forward and he's perfect for playing in this small-ball era.
14. Porzingis (Washington Wizards)
Porzingis has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, and we all know that healthy Porzingis is still the top ten forwards in the NBA league. However, after entering the 2022-23 season, his ranking will drop a lot, because the star bradley Beale is about to return.
13. John Collins (Atlanta)
Given his level of athleticism and influence over the past few seasons, he may have played his potential, and John Collins is a big forward who is perfect for the small-ball era. But when he faces tough offensive or defensive players, he also gets frustrated. Facing the alphabet brother is the best example.
On top of that, John Collins is also a reliable outside shooter, shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range over the past three seasons. He averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season, but his performance on offense and defense wasn't what the Atlanta Hawks expected because they just gave him a big contract.
12. Julius Randall (New York Knicks)
Julius Randle, a big forward who can score, grab rebounds and create offensive opportunities for others, from 2020-21 to 2021-22, he went through a roller coaster season, and the performances were too different, which is one of the reasons why the Knicks finally missed the playoffs. In the 2021-22 season, Julius Randall averaged 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, shooting just 41.1 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point range.
In the 2020-21 season, Juliet Randall averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists per game, and shot 45.6/41.1/81.1 from the field, all of which were All-Star performances. When Julius Randle entered the 2022-23 season, he needed to play the same performance as he did in the 2020-21 season to become a top ten big forward.
11. Jalan Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
There is no doubt that Jaren Jackson Jr. has developed into one of the best big forwards in the league, and he has become a core player for the Memphis Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 2021-22, averaging 1.6 three-pointers per game and 2.3 blocks per game. While his rebounding ability still needs to improve, Jaren Jackson has grown into one of the truly unique big men in the league. Entering the 2022-23 season, his offensive and defensive threats will become even greater.
10. Paul Bancello (Orlando Magic)
After two summer league games, the Magic saw enough that Paul Banchero showed off all the skills and talent that made him the 2022 draft pick, and possibly even more, with two games averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Paul Bancello is a very good scorer and a passer with great creativity, and he has also put a lot of effort into the defensive end, and he may be the NBA's most popular Rookie of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
9. Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers)
Tobias Harris is a big forward player with a good influence on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, and he is perfect for playing next to a center like Joelnbid. Last season, Tobias Harris played solidly with the Philadelphia 76ers as always.
In the 2021-22 season, Tobias Harris averaged 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range. His defence is also stable, with his agile pace and huge size allowing him to defend swingmen, big forwards and some defenders.
8. Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Draymond Green, as a player, is no longer at his peak, which is clear to anyone who watched the Golden State Warriors play in the 2021-22 season. Of course, the four-time champion also had brilliant moments. In any case, Draymond Green is the starting big forward for the 2021-22 championship season. Entering the 2022-22 season, Draymond Green's playing time may be reduced, but it will not affect his role and performance on the field.
7. Scotty Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Scotty Barnes has been talked about a lot this offseason, and not just because of his Rookie of the Year in 2021-22. More because he was one of the Raptors' trade chips to get Durant trading. In his first season of career, Scotty Barnes performed brilliantly, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game from 49.2 percent shooting.
Scotty Barnes is versatile on both ends of the court, and he's a very rare big forward who can grab rebounds, dribble offensive shots and pass assist teammates to score.
6. Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
If Barnes doesn't win the Rookie of the Year award, then Evan Mobley will definitely win last season's Rookie of the Year. In fact, Evan Mobley may actually have a higher ceiling than Barnes, as a highly skilled big man, he has the defensive potential to change the game, and for him who is 7 feet tall, he has good lethality on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends.
As a rookie, Evan Mowbury has played 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks in his rookie season, shooting 50.8% from the field, and although he only shot 25.0% from three-point range, he still has a lot of room to grow.
5. Siakam (Toronto Raptors)
Siakam, in the 2022-23 season, could get better. In the 2021-22 season, Siakam averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 49.4/34.4/74.9 from the field and was named to the All-Team Third Team. Siakam's ability to strike and shoot, as well as good defensive skills, also make Siakam a very rare big forward.
4. Zion (New Orleans Pelicans)
Zion missed all the games of the 2021-22 season due to injury, but his physical talent is there, he will not be at a disadvantage against any big forward in the NBA, and the physical quality is too tough. In the 2020-21 season, Zion averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 61.1 percent from the field.
In his first two seasons before he was 21, Zion averaged 25.7 points per game, and in fact, best of all, he became the first player ever to average at least 25.0 points per game before the age of 21. For Zion, the most important thing is how to ensure that you stay healthy during the game.
3. Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Towns was a center forward last season and in the upcoming 2022-23 season he will be the team's big forward, all because of Gobert's arrival. Given his great shooting ability as a big man, we believe the NBA's best three-point shooter next season will be Towns, not the likes of Stephen Curry.
In the 2021-22 season, Towns performed well, averaging 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, while leading the Minnesota Timberwolves into the playoffs, though failing to make a breakthrough in the first round. However, the Timberwolves, who enter the 2022-23 season, have the potential to become the king of the West.
2. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
Anthony Davis is expected to be the second best big forward for the 2022-23 season. The Lakers at least hope so, because the team's performance last season was very disappointing and hasn't changed much in the current offseason. Still, if Anthony Davis plays at his best when in good health, then sky is the limit for the Los Angeles team, as LeBron James still maintains the level of an NBA superstar.
Despite last year's injuries, Anthony Davis has an impressive number, averaging 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per game and shooting 53.2 percent from the field.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)
Giannis Antetokounmpo may be in first place, but there is no doubt that he will definitely be in the top three, and although Alphabet brother has not won an MVP in the past two seasons, he is arguably the most influential big forward in the league due to his contributions at both ends of the pitch. In 2021-22, he averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, as well as shooting 55.3 percent from the field. Giannis Antetokounmpo can attack and retreat, and is currently the best NBA player in the world.